Newcastle to File Official Complaint Over Police Treatment of Fans in Marseille. Newcastle United will lodge a formal complaint after what the club described as the “unacceptable treatment” of their fans by French police following the Champions League defeat to Marseille.. The club intends to raise the issue with Uefa, Marseille officials and French police, accusing officers of using “unnecessary and disproportionate force” outside the Stade Vélodrome. Newcastle reported that supporters were met with pepper spray, batons and shields, leaving many fans “indiscriminately assaulted.” Travelling supporters had been scheduled to remain inside the stadium for up to an hour after the match before being escorted in controlled groups to the metro. According to the club, police violence began once the first group was released, preventing other fans from moving and escalating tensions. Witnesses described distressing scenes in the upper concourse of the away section, where crowding and crushing were reported. Newcastle staff intervened and immediately raised concerns with police on site, but said their efforts had “limited impact” on the officers’ behaviour. Fans expressed “distress, frustration and anger” to club representatives, who later received additional troubling accounts from those present. The club stressed that supporter safety must be the highest priority and condemned the policing methods used during the post-match operation. Senior Newcastle staff and stewards were present throughout and witnessed the incident firsthand, strengthening the club’s decision to pursue action.